F-16s flew to Iraq from U.S. Misawa base

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F-16s flew to Iraq from U.S. Misawa base

It has been learned that 12 U.S. F-16 fighter jets and 100 mechanics stationed at U.S. Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture were dispatched to Iraq on January 16.

This was the second time for the Misawa base to send its F-16 squadron to Iraq, following the first dispatch in spring 2003 when the Iraq War started.

These F-16 fighter jets were deployed to Iraq as part of an Air Expeditionary Force organized this month.

Their mission in Iraq includes surveillance in support of ground force operations and attacks on terrorists and armed groups.

The anti-terrorist attack function is new to Misawa's F-16 fighter squadrons whose main mission has been suppression of enemy air defense capabilities to destroy air defense radar and ground-to-air missile facilities.

According to the Stars and Stripes military newspaper, more than 400 troops are planned to be sent to Iraq from Misawa to join the Air Expeditionary Force.

The other F-16 fighter squadron stationed at Misawa will also be sent to Iraq as part of the next Air Expeditionary Force to be formed this May.

This U.S. base will send to Iraq as many as 1,000 troops in total.
- Akahata, January 21, 2007